This Is Where Boris Johnson's New Cabinet Stands On LGBTQ Issues

The new education secretary, Gavin Williamson, will have to address the LGBTQ protests outside schools in Birmingham and now Nottingham.
LOADINGERROR LOADING

There’s little doubt Boris Johnson had one issue looming large in his mind when he announced his brutal cabinet reshuffle on Thursday – Brexit.

The loudest voices in the Tory Leave arena, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Dominic Raab to name just two, were rewarded with high profile positions, while detractors such as Jeremy Hunt were given the boot.

But there’s more to life than Brexit. Here’s where select members of the new cabinet stand on LGBTQ issues.

Gavin Williamson

Gavin Williamson has made a swift comeback from being sacked as defence secretary less than three months ago over suspicions he leaked details of Huawei discussions from the National Security Council.

Absolutely honoured to be appointed Secretary of State for Education by our new Prime Minister @BorisJohnson. Very much looking forward to working with the fantastic team at @educationgovuk

— Gavin Williamson MP (@GavinWilliamson) July 24, 2019

He is now education secretary and will immediately have to deal with the protests against relationships and sex education in classrooms that began in Birmingham and have now spread to Nottingham.

Williamson twice voted against allowing same sex couples to marry in 2013 and against enabling the courts to deal with proceedings for the divorce of, or annulment of the marriage of, a same sex couple and making same sex marriage available to armed forces personnel outside the UK.

Gavin Williamson has actively opposed LGBTQ rights time and time again. He’s now Education Secretary at a time when LGBTQ inclusive education is threatened. Whether you’re straight or LGBTQ, it’s now the time to speak out.

— Owen Jones🌹 (@OwenJones84) July 24, 2019

But as defence secretary he did work to protect LBGT+ members of the military serving in Brunei from the country’s draconian anti-LGBTQ laws and made a bit of a show when the UK armed forces were listed in the top 100 LGBTQ employers.

I am so incredibly proud that @BritishArmy @RoyalNavy @RoyalAirForce and @RoyalMarines have been recognised as some of the nation’s best employers for the LGBT community. #EqualAtWork #Defence https://t.co/9OA2aiiAWb

— Gavin Williamson MP (@GavinWilliamson) January 23, 2019

And in February of this year, Williamson urged a change in the law to end marriage curbs on gay members of the Armed Forces.

Jacob Rees-Mogg

Jacob Rees-Mogg has been summoned from the back benches to become Leader of the House of Commons, and in an unusual move he will attend cabinet meetings despite not being a full member of the cabinet.

I am honoured to be able to serve our new Prime Minister and the country. pic.twitter.com/7QBh5YuB2Z

— Jacob Rees-Mogg (@Jacob_Rees_Mogg) July 25, 2019

The MP for North East Somerset has consistently voted against same-sex marriage and believes the teachings of the church should take priority over the government on the issue.

Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain in 2017, he said: “I’m a Catholic, I take the teaching of the Catholic church seriously. Marriage is a sacrament and the view of what marriage is is taken by the church, not parliament.

“I support the teaching of the Catholic church. The marriage issue is the important thing, this is not how people arrange their lives.”

The new Leader of the House opposes gay marriage, and is against abortion even in cases of rape and incest. What an appalling man.

— Miriam Brett (@MiriamBrett) July 24, 2019

Andrea Leadsom

Of all the members of of Jonson’s new cabinet, Leadsom’s comments on LGBTQ issues are perhaps the most controversial.

The new business secretary was forced to deny claims she opposes LGBTQ education in schools, after saying parents should decide when their children are “exposed” to information about gay relationships.

Baffles me that Andrea Leadsom is against children learning about LGBT+ relationships, when the Tories seem quite happy to fuck absolutely everyone & everything.

— Tiernan Douieb (@TiernanDouieb) March 21, 2019

Commenting on the Birmingham school protests, Leadsom came under fire in March after she told LBC that families should be able to withdraw children from lessons about LGBTQ relationships “up to a certain age”.

She has never voted one way or the other on gay rights or gay marriage.

Esther McVey

The new minister of housing, communities and local government in another new cabinet member who has come under fire for comments on the Birmingham schools row.

📢 Congratulations to @EstherMcVey1, who has been appointed Minister of State at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. 🔵🌳🇬🇧

Esther will also attend Cabinet. pic.twitter.com/zHiwMhqU6Q

— Conservatives (@Conservatives) July 24, 2019

While she did condemn the protestors, she also added: “The final say is with the parents. If parents want to take their young children – primary school children – out of certain forms of sex and relationship education then that is down to them.”

She was even criticised by members of her own party, with Justine Greening saying you “can’t pick and choose on human rights and equality”.

McVey twice voted against gay marriage in 2013.

It’s also worth noting there is now no gay member of the cabinet after David Mundell was given the boot in favour of Alister Jack.

Close

What's Hot